• Soweto touring
• Spectacular Victoria Falls
• Rhino safari in Victoria Falls Private Game Reserve
• Chobe National Park safari excursion
• World’s largest crested dunes at Sossusvlei
• Namibian coast boat excursion
• Four-night stay in beautiful Cape Town
• The Winelands touring
• Outstanding small group accommodations

Day 1: Depart U.S. for Johannesburg, South Africa

Day 2: Arrive Johannesburg Upon arrival we transfer to our hotel in the suburb of Rosebank, where our rooms will be ready for our early check-in. As guests’ arrival times may vary greatly, we have no group activities planned. B

Day 3: Johannesburg/Soweto We meet our fellow travelers today as we embark on a tour of the Soweto district of Johannesburg. Here we see the home of former Archbishop Desmond Tutu; visit the home, now a museum, of the late Nelson Mandela; and tour the moving Hector Pieterson Memorial and Museum, where we learn more about apartheid and the Soweto uprising of 1976. Then we hear fascinating stories from a local Sowetan who was present during the uprising, followed by lunch at a local restaurant. Tonight we enjoy a welcome dinner together. B,L,D

Day 4: Johannesburg/Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe We fly this morning to Victoria Falls, first “discovered” by explorer David Livingstone and claimed for Great Britain’s Queen Victoria in 1855. With its 300-foot-deep gorge and thundering spray, “Vic” Falls is a wonder of the natural world. This afternoon we see it for ourselves on a guided walk. B,D

Day 5: Victoria Falls This morning we visit a local school where we have the opportunity to interact with the children and teachers, then spend some time exploring the town of Victoria Falls. Late this afternoon we embark on a Sundowner dinner cruise on the Zambezi River. B,D

Day 6: Victoria Falls This morning we set off on a rhino safari in open-top safari vehicles. This afternoon is at leisure; this evening we attend a talk on David Livingstone’s travels, trials, and travails. B,D

Day 7: Chobe National Park, Botswana Known for a diverse terrain that attracts an exceptional array of wildlife, Chobe National Park in nearby Botswana boasts one of the largest concentrations of game in all Africa, including the world’s largest elephant population (some 120,000), as well as zebra, lion, hippo, giraffe, impala, wildebeest, buffalo, and more. We’re sure to see some of them on today’s full-day excursion to Chobe, where we take a morning game drive and an afternoon game cruise. B,L,D

Day 8: Victoria Falls/Windhoek, Namibia Today we fly via Johannesburg to the Namibian capital of Windhoek, arriving late this evening. B

Day 9: Windhoek/Namib Desert/Sossusvlei After a brief tour of Namibia’s largest city, we set out through the central Namib Desert of vast gravel plains and rocky mountains. Isolated and immense, tranquil and romantic, this endless expanse offers a glimpse of a land before time. Late this afternoon we reach our lodge in the heart of the dune desert. B,L,D

Day 10: Namib Desert/Sossusvlei We rise with the sun to see the world’s highest crested dunes at Sossusvlei, their red-orange hues constantly changing in the early morning light. Here we have the opportunity to climb the velvet-like sand of Big Mama, as the locals call the largest dune. B,L,D

Day 11: Sossusvlei/Swakopmund We travel to­day through the Namib desert en route to Swakopmund, Namibia’s largest port. B,L,D

Day 12: Swakopmund/Walvis Bay/Namibian Coast From Walvis Bay this morning, we take a cruise along the storied Namibian coast, getting a mariner’s perspective on this striking region known by local tribespeople as “the land God created in anger.” Along the way we’ll see Cape fur seals and sea birds, including petrels. We enjoy lunch on board before disembarking and returning to Swakopmund, where the remainder of the day is at leisure. B,L

Day 13: Swakopmund/Cape Town, S.A. We fly today to Cape Town, the “Mother City” and South Africa’s oldest. After we check in at our hotel, the remainder of the day is at leisure. B

Day 14: Cape Town/The Winelands Today we tour the Winelands, South Africa’s renowned wine-growing region just 45 miles east of Cape Town. Amidst the beautiful scenery, we visit a winery for a tour, tasting, and lunch. We return to Cape Town mid-afternoon; dinner tonight is on our own in this cosmopolitan city. B,L

Day 15: Cape Town/Cape of Good Hope This morning we travel to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, home to more than 250 species of birds, and where we ride a funicular to the summit for stupendous views. After a seafood lunch in historic Simon’s Town, we visit Boulders Beach to see a colony of enchanting African penguins up close. Then we return to Cape Town, where we dine together tonight. B,L,D

Day 16: Cape Town Our tour of Cape Town this morning features a visit to the Bo-Kaap neighborhood, the city’s historical center of Cape Malay culture. We also pay a visit to acclaimed Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, nestled against the eastern slopes of Table Mountain. One of the world’s great botanic gardens, Kirstenbosch champions South Africa’s rich biodiversity as it cultivates only native plants. Then we enjoy glorious bird’s-eye views of Cape Town as we ride by cable car 3,500 feet to the flat top of the city’s signature Table Mountain. This afternoon is at leisure; tonight, we celebrate our southern Africa odyssey at a farewell dinner. B,D

Day 17: Depart for U.S. We transfer to the airport today for our return flights to the U.S. B

Day 18: Arrive U.S. We arrive in the U.S. today and connect with our flights home.

B = Breakfast included L = Lunch included D = Dinner included

• Round-trip air transportation from listed cities; all flights within itinerary
• 15 nights’ accommodations in Deluxe and Superior First Class hotels
• 34 meals: 16 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 10 dinners
• Extensive sightseeing as described, including all ­entrance fees
• Services of an Odysseys Unlimited Tour Director
• Private motorcoach transportation throughout your trip
• Luggage handling for one bag per person
• Gratuities for local guides, dining room servers, airport and hotel porters, and all drivers
• $100 frequent traveler credit towards your next ­Odysseys Unlimited tour ($200 after 3 tours; $300 after 10 tours)

2023 Tour Dates & Prices
including international airfare and all taxes, surcharges, and fees

Please call if your city is not listed or for land only prices. Prices are per person based on double occupancy and include airline taxes, surcharges, and fees of $1,359, which are subject to change until final payment is made.

Single travelers please add $1,695. Your $475 deposit is fully refundable up to 95 days prior to departure. All 2023 tour prices above (excluding airline taxes, surcharges, and fees) are guaranteed.

Depending on flight schedules, certain U.S. cities may require a departure one day prior to the listed schedule above.

Business Class upgrade (subject to availability; pricing subject to change) on round-trip Trans-Atlantic flight: $5,495 per person from ORD, DFW, HOU, JFK; all other cities $6,495

A visa is required for this tour. Odysseys Unlimited will provide information about visa requirements upon reservation.

2024 Tour Dates & Prices
including international airfare and all taxes, surcharges, and fees

Please call if your city is not listed or for land only prices. Prices are per person based on double occupancy and include airline taxes, surcharges, and fees of $1,359, which are subject to change until final payment is made.

Single travelers please add $1,695. Your $475 deposit is fully refundable up to 95 days prior to departure. All tour prices above (excluding airline taxes, surcharges, and fees) are guaranteed.

Depending on flight schedules, certain U.S. cities may require a departure one day prior to the listed schedule above.

Business Class upgrade (subject to availability; pricing subject to change) on round-trip Trans-Atlantic flight: $5,995 per person from ORD, DFW, HOU, JFK; all other cities $6,995

A visa is required for this tour. Odysseys Unlimited will provide information about visa requirements upon reservation.

Kruger: Kapama Private Game Reserve

4 days/3 nights for $2,195 total price
Single Supplement: $695

Experience the magnificence of the South African bush, Kruger National Park region, and “Big Five” game country at a unique luxury tented camp.

Your Tour Price Includes

• Round-trip air transportation to/from Hoedspruit (Kruger), inclusive of airline taxes and fees
• 3 nights’ accommodations at Kapama Southern Camp (Deluxe)
• 8 meals: 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners
• 5 guided game drives (in open safari vehicles)
• Services of the lodge’s excellent staff
• Transfers to/from airport

Please see the Accommodations tab for hotel information.

Note: Accommodations in Kruger on the August 31, 2023 departure will be at the Kapama Karula Lodge (Deluxe).

Nelson Mandela
Long Walk to Freedom
An unpretentious tale of an extraordinary life, Mandela’s autobiography is essential reading for an understanding of South Africa. His grace and his love for his country shine throughout.

Vincent Carruthers (Editor), Kenneth Newman (Illustrator)
The Wildlife of Southern Africa
With 1,200 color illustrations by a range of experts, this compact field guide includes all the birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, insects, fish and plants that a traveler is likely to encounter in southern Africa.

Richard Estes
The Safari Companion
An invaluable encyclopedic guide to Africa’s mammals by a noted scientist, this perennial bestseller includes black-and-white drawings, an overview of each animal group and in-depth information. Written with the typical safari-goer in mind.

Alan Murphy
Lonely Planet Southern Africa
This hefty practical guide to the nine nations of southern Africa, including Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Swaziland, Malawi, Mozambique and Lesotho, is ideal for independent travelers on a multi-country tour.

Hallwag
South Africa, Namibia, Botswana Map
This fold-out overview map of Southern Africa – including South Africa, Namibia, Botswana – is ideal for route planning.

The Africa Adventure Company
Safari Planning Map, East & Southern Africa
This large-scale colorful map covers the top safari countries and important wildlife reserves of East and Southern Africa. With enlargements of key regions like Northern Tanzania, Southern Kenya and Northern Botswana to Victoria Falls, the map includes information on planning your safari and climate graphs.

Marcelle Bienvenu (Contributor), Chris McIntyre
Botswana, the Bradt Safari Guide
With comprehensive coverage of history, flora, fauna and practicalities, this fourth edition presents Okavango, Chobe, the Kalahari and other popular destinations in detail.

Elizabeth Marshall Thomas
The Harmless People
A classic study of the Bushmen of the Kalahari, novelistic in its detail. Based on the author’s fieldwork, the account is direct, informative, and strong on the character of the people and land.

Leonard Thompson
A History of South Africa
A succinct history of South Africa, especially strong on early Africans and European colonization.

John Reader
Africa, a Biography of the Continent
With the ease of a practiced journalist, Reader weaves a masterful and lively tale of the continent, from ancient cultures to modern times. Both authoritative and informal, this is a splendid introduction to all of Africa.

Martin Meredith
The Fortunes of Africa, A 5000-Year History of Wealth, Greed and Endeavor
Covering the epic story of colonialism in Africa, Meredith’s magisterial history depicts empire-hungry kings, missionaries, tribal warlords, mining barons – even modern multinational corporations. An expansive but entertaining read.

Thomas Pakenham
The Scramble for Africa
Absorbing and meticulously researched, this in-depth history of the Victorian land grab in 19th century Africa includes excellent portraits of the egomaniacal personalities who overran the continent.

Martin Meredith
The Fate of Africa
Ambitious in scope, immensely readable – and as big as a doorstop – Martin Meredith’s blockbuster country-by-country overview of the tumult in Africa since independence is now revised and updated to reflect recent events.

Rian Malan
My Traitor’s Heart
Afrikaner journalist Malan recounts his journey back to his homeland just before the collapse of apartheid. He grapples with the black and white heart of South Africa, drawing on the 300-year history of his family in Africa and legends of the Zulu nation, in this beautifully written and brutally honest story of return.

Alan Paton
Cry, The Beloved Country
The deeply moving story of Reverend Kumalo’s quest for justice. First published in 1948, it is a striking, poetic tribute to the power of the individual and a trenchant indictment of apartheid.

Peter Godwin, Chris Johns (Photographer)
Wild at Heart
This lush collection of full-color photographs tackles conservation, development and tradition in southern Africa. It’s a well-illustrated portrait of the region by National Geographic photographer Johns and veteran journalist Godwin.

Carol Cunningham, Joel Berger
Horn of Darkness, Rhinos on the Edge
A lively account of field work, combining adventure, natural history and thoughtful commentary on the plight of the severely endangered black rhinoceros in Namibia.

Kenneth Newman
Newman’s Birds of Southern Africa
This commemorative 10th edition celebrates the late author with a fully revised and updated version. Edits were done by his daughter, Vanessa Newman, to reflect the latest research, taxonomy and common names.

Chris Stuart, Tilde Stuart
A Photographic Guide, Southern, Central, and East African Mammals
A compact guide, designed for the field, including almost all of the conspicuous species and a good sampling of the smaller or more secretive animals.

Jonathan Kingdon
Kingdon Pocket Guide to African Mammals
A conveniently compact edition of Kingdon’s gloriously illustrated Field Guide to African Mammals. The guide includes abbreviated information on identification, distribution, ecology and conservation status and 480 outstanding color illustrations and maps.

Bunny McBride, Duane Schlitter, Richard Estes, Peter Alden
National Audubon Society Field Guide to African Wildlife
This comprehensive photo guide covers 850 birds, mammals and reptiles of Africa. With range maps and a good country-by-country overview of habitats and parks.